wounded. A third combat by the same victorious knight is disallowed. Even imperial rank must obey implicitly the rules of the tourney. Lord Zawis retired amid tumultuous applause from the Bohemians, while the Austrians maintained an ominous silence. A herald invited the conqueror to receive customary compliments from the ladies of his party. Advancing towards the queen, Zawis removed his helmet, and exhibited a face of singular manliness and intelligence. Proudly the Lady Ludmila presented the conqueror, who although well known, must come in his character as disputant as a stranger.
“Most gallant knight,” exclaimed Kunigunde,—the sense of her own wrongs, the inconsistency of her present surroundings with her consuming grief rendering her words slow and emphatic,—“accept at once a lady’s admiration, a mother’s thanks, and a queen’s commendation. Receive this token of my profound esteem, and let it rest in your memory as a pledge from one who feels the loss of a strong defender, and can therefore still more deeply appreciate the valor of a true knight.”
Saying this, the queen removed a clasp of golden filligree from her mantle, and binding it with a white and scarlet ribbon to the crest of Zawis’ helmet, permitted the hero to resume his covering, and backing from the queen’s presence, to attain his place among the successful champions.
While the gay company assembled for this entertainment during the bright cool hours of the crisp and cheery morning, another company also assembled
